St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-03-19
HE'S FIFTY YEARS OLD.
President Cleveland Entered on the Second
Half Century Of His Existence
Yesterday.
He Spent the Day in Work and "Took
in" the Minstrels in the
Evening.
Judge Thurman's Visit to the White
House Calls Out Much
Gossip.
The Army In Need of More Men TO
Complete the Authorized
Quota.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, March 1s.--'rhe presi-
dents fiftieth birthday was passed very
quietly at the White house to-day, the fore
noon being devoted to routine business in
the library, ineluding lengthy interview
with Ex-senator Thurman, of Ohio.
Speaker Carlisle was among the first pc.
sonally to tender his congratulations and
his example was followed later in the day
by nearly all the congressman remaining in
the city. On the large table in the library
there were several floral offerings, one ex-
ceptiOnalIy beautiful in the shape of an
anchor. being the gift of Secretary and Mrs.
Whitney. The train from the West
brought Mrs. HOyt, the presidents sister.
who will remain several days as the guest
of himself and wife, and in the afternoon
Mrs. Cleveland took the visitor out for
drive in her victoria behind the famous
chestnuts. A congratulatOry cablegraln to
the president from
THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY
was among the features of the day, and in
cidentally the kaiser called attention to the
fact that it was his birthday, too. he hav-
ing just completed his Goth year. In the
aftern DON when the president came down
into the East room he was confronted with
host of his old Buffalo neighbOrs, an eX-
curSion party of nearly 500 from that place
being now in the city. All present were
liberal with compliments and good wishes,
and one lady said: MANY returns of the
day, Mr.. President" AS the subject Of
her congratulations surveyed the vast
thrOng waiting to shake hands with him he
rubbed his right hand vigorously and re-
piled: ''You can hardly mean that in good
part" AS mark of respect to
his callers the president instructed
the doOrkeepers to throw open the
lower part OF the mansion for
their inspection, and it was after o'clock
| dent had intended going for drive in the
afternoon, but the weather was too severe
and he had quantity of business on his
desk that required attention, so he gave
himself up to that duty until dinner time.
1t was pleasant party that assembled for
the meal. comprising Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs.
Hoyt, Miss Gregg. of Buffalo, and after
wards the president went to the National
theater to see Thatcher. Primrose & Vests
lninStrelS. Mrs. Cleveland and Miss Gregg
remained at the White house, as both are in
mourning for relatives and the party in the
box at the theater consisted of the president
and his sister and Col. and Mrs. Lamont.
And thus the ruler of the United States
celebrated the anniversary of his natal day.
The Old Roman Needed.
| Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON. March 1S.-Nothing since
the adjournment of congress has created
so much excitement at the capital as
the announcement that ex-senator Thur
man, of Ohio, to-day spent over an hour al
the White house witt the president. HI
was at once associated with the secretary
ship of the treasury, and there was not {
vacant position. present OF prospective, tina
he was not connected with by the quiC
nuncS. From an authoritative source
however, it is known that the presiden
urged the old roman to re-enter public life
and rendered him the position of chairman
of the interstate commerce commission
Failing to persuade him to accept this place
it is understood that the president made
tender of position on the commission tt
investigate the accounts of the Pacific Rail
road company, the members of which viii
receive $3.50 per month each until mex
December, and some declare that the worl
will continue through the fftieth congress
When seen tonight. Judge Thurman de
clined GtO say what course he intended
to pursue, but it is believed he will hold th
matter under advisement until after his re
turn from Boston, where he goes to argu
the Bell telephone cases.